Home Security Tips for Frequent Travelers

According to the statistics released by the Hong Kong Police Force, each year about HK $400 million worth of property is stolen during burglaries. Considerable time, cost and effort will be required to repair the damage and loss caused by the burglary

During public holidays, many families will plan for traveling trips and they normally believe that leaving maids or pets at home stay their home away from burglary. However, it is not the case.SecurePro has some tips for clients who will go on vacation soon :

１）Monitor your house from afar

It’s important to keep tabs on your home, even when traveling to the far reaches of the world. The easiest way to do so is by installing security cameras. Most modern cameras are equipped with night vision and motion sensors, and can be synced with your mobile device or tablet.

The other way to check in on your house is to either ask a friend to do so or to program your computer’s built-in webcam to act as a security camera. There are several apps on the market that enable users to access their web camera from afar so that you won’t miss anything at your home.

It's important to consider that simple surveillance may not be enough in the event of a break-in — it's one thing to watch your home being raided, and another to ensure that swift action is taken in a worst-case-scenario situation. There really is no comparison to installing a professional security system to keep an eye on your home. Watching the place yourself can be time-consuming — and can detract from your vacation. It also doesn't allow for quick reactions should you notice anything amiss. Consider a professional home monitoring system, and let the experts take care of any home security breaches in the event of an incident.

２）Make it look like you're at home

An abandoned home makes for an obvious target, so do your best to make it look like someone is at home. An abandoned home makes for an obvious target, so do your best to make it look like someone is at home. There are several ways to keep up the facade: Have your mail stopped, keep up with the yard work and shovel the snow. Have a neighbor park their cars in your driveway. You can also ask someone to take your garbage bins out on collection day — no one needs to know that they're empty.

Another obvious trick is to automate specific electronics in your home, such as programming your lights or a stereo to switch on a certain time. The flurry of activity will make your house looked lived in. A low-cost, energy efficient way of doing this is with a push light. Switch on the battery-powered light before you leave, and let it glow throughout the duration of your trip. Smart plugs also offer the ability to control your lamps remotely.

３）Keep your travel on the down-low

Of course, it’s okay to tell Mom when you’re leaving the country, but try not to broadcast it too widely. Many people share personal information on Twitter or Facebook or post travel photos on Instagram without realizing how many people can access it. Would you announce to a crowd of strangers that your home will be vacant over Christmas? Probably not.

Avoid posting about upcoming travel on social media or other Internet sites — this is a clear signal that you won’t be around. Perhaps more importantly, avoid posting remotely when you’re out of the country. Most sites will tell viewers where you’re posting from, and can draw criminals to an empty home. Yes, these are extreme measures, but they'll be sure to keep your home safe and secure.

４） Prepare for the worst

No one wants their home to be burglarized, but it’s better to be prepared. Before leaving on your trip, check your insurance policies. Make sure everything is up to date and provides accurate protection. Ensure that your coverage extends to robberies, as opposed to just accidents like floods or fires. And don’t forget to take photos of your belongings — this documentation can save you headaches in case of crisis. The first thing your insurance company will ask for in the event of a robbery is evidence of what was damaged or stolen.

You should also notify your local neighborhood watch of vacations lasting more than a weekend. That way they'll know to respond swiftly in case of a triggered alarm or unusual activity.